In a new interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, vocalist/guitarist Andy Cairns of the Northern Irish rock outfit THERAPY? spoke about the band's plans for the follow-up to 2023's "Hard Cold Fire" album.

He explained that the damage to his knees was not a result of "the road rigor," but rather due to wear and tear over the course of the last three and a half decades.

Cairns said, "I don't know.

I've been doing this a long time.

I only turned 60 last year, so they did say to me, 'You're quite young for someone that needs new knees.' But I'm glad I got 'em done, because they were agony." The band had already started writing the new album before Cairns' knee replacements, but he found it difficult to write lyrics while recovering.

He said, "I think most can relate to that time when you're 16, 17, and life's shit and you're trying to figure out where you are in the world." The band is now back in rehearsals to finish off the album, which they plan to record in May.

They will then play with DROPKICK MURPHYS in Italy before completing the rest of the album and embarking on a summer of festivals.

As for when THERAPY? plans to release the new album, Cairns said it's uncertain whether they'll release it this year or next, with the possibility of releasing singles and touring them first.

The band is scheduled to play with DROPKICK MURPHYS in Italy as part of their festival appearances.

THERAPY?'s most successful album, "Troublegum", was released in 1993 and has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Cairns reflected on the album's legacy, saying, "We're very lucky to have an album like that in our canon.

It's full of signature songs, has sold over a million copies, and it all happened out of the blue." The band is currently rehearsing and preparing for their next live dates.